Wheel Suspension Link Discontinuous Plastic Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wheel suspension links face challenges with material isotropy, weight, and corrosion issues, particularly in metal components, and high production costs associated with fiber-reinforced plastics, which affect their mechanical stability and durability.
Innovation Solution
A wheel suspension link made from a base member of discontinuously reinforced plastic material with continuous fiber reinforcement, integrated in a materially integral manner, specifically designed to enhance tensile strength and flexural rigidity, while minimizing weight and production complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal components are used for wheel suspension links, then mechanical strength and isotropic loading capability are improved, but weight increases and corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fiber-reinforced plastic composite materials consisting of a thermoplastic matrix reinforced with continuously oriented fibrous reinforcement. This composite structure provides high mechanical strength comparable to metal while significantly reducing weight, as the plastic matrix combined with strategic fiber placement achieves optimal strength-to-weight ratio for suspension link applications.
2Weight of moving object
If fiber-reinforced plastic material is used for wheel suspension links, then weight is reduced and durability is improved, but production cost increases and material behavior becomes anisotropic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality optimization by concentrating continuous fibrous reinforcement specifically in the tension and compression zones where highest mechanical stresses occur, while using discontinuously reinforced plastic in less critical areas. This selective reinforcement strategy achieves optimal mechanical performance where needed while reducing overall material cost and production complexity compared to fully continuous fiber reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes thermoplastic matrix materials that allow for efficient manufacturing processes such as injection molding or extrusion. The thermoplastic nature enables rapid cooling and solidification, reducing production time and cost while maintaining the ability to incorporate both continuous and discontinuous fiber reinforcements in a single manufacturing step.
3Strength
If continuous fiber reinforcement is used throughout the entire link member, then tensile strength is improved, but production complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality optimization by concentrating continuous fibrous reinforcement specifically in the tension and compression zones where highest mechanical stresses occur, while using discontinuously reinforced plastic in less critical areas. This selective reinforcement strategy achieves optimal mechanical performance where needed while reducing overall material cost and production complexity compared to fully continuous fiber reinforcement.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel suspension link including a structure connection location for connecting the link to a vehicle structure and a wheel carrier connection location connecting the link to a wheel carrier. The structure connection location and wheel carrier connection location arranged on a link member extending along a link plane. The link member including a base member formed in a materially integral manner from a discontinuously reinforced plastic material. The link member including a reinforcement, containing continuous fibers, connected to the reinforced plastic material. In one embodiment, the reinforcement limited with respect to the link plane to a first region of the link member while the base member extends into a second region.